Boxers prepare for Nationals in Goa

By Aldrid Da Costa

With a right hook, left jab, followed up with a quick succession of upper cuts to the chin, the young pugilists went through their combinations, eager to catch the eye of the boxing selectors at ringside, at the trials in Campal’s indoor stadium, Panjim on Thursday.

With no wild card entries, it was certain only the fittest would survive, as the Goa boxing association set about the task of selecting the sub junior girls and junior men for the nationals in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan respectively. “The sub junior girls can only fight girls the same age as themselves and weight is also a criteria, while the junior men are ranked in fourteen categories starting from pin weight (46kg to heavy weight (80kg+),” stated SAG boxing specialist Praveen Shirodkar.

The hopefuls romped out of their respected corners quickly enough, as they knew that they only had one round to prove their mettle. It was a test of real aggression, rather than plodding along trying to go the distance, with no Mohammed Ali showboating shuffle in sight. “That’s my son in there”, screamed one proud excited mother.

The referee would occasionally intervene to ensure that the mouth guards were safely in place. With the adrenaline pumping on the sidelines, the athletes limbered up one by one; shadow boxing; smelling the sweet smell of victory in their gloves and waiting on the cusp of glory for their moment.

The match ups were pulsating to say the least, with two exciting bouts in particular. The first saw two lightweights go toe to toe for the entire three minutes.

The second, witnessed one boxer brutally chase his opponent around the ring like a lion narrowing down on his prey, knocking him to the canvas on three separate occasions with the bell eventually coming to his mercy.

What about the dangers associated with the sport (or science as described by some)? “At amateur level, all participants are wearing head gear to prevent any serious danger, it is a little bit more challenging for unskilled fighters, but to be honest I used sustain more injuries playing basketball,” reasoned GBA secretary Clyde Lobo.

As the session came to a close, the next potential Vijendra Singh’s and Mary Kom’s skipped out of the gym, with no scar’s on their face. The only marks these combatants would hope to succumb too are the sports policy marks, and you bet they earned them!

First published in Herald on July 1^st 2011

Healthy changes in B P Ed course

By ALDRID DA COSTA

“People wanting to live a fit healthy life is on the rise, and this course will help you make a real difference,” stated Don Bosco College principal Dr. Marie Raj after disclosing the exciting changes to the Bachelor of physical education course which kick starts from July 1, at the Don Bosco college in Panjim, which is the only college affiliated with Goa University in the state offering the course which is aimed at graduate sportspersons to make a career.

Speaking to Herald, Dr Marie Raj mentioned that the institute has added a special sports management module which will help youngsters who are looking to get into the ever expanding business of gym fitness centre’s. 

The college also has a special tie up with one of Europe’s leading universities, the Porto University’s department of physical education department and sports sciences since 2009. The university has invited students for research and do the master’s and doctorate studies, she added.

The B P Ed students will be trained daily from 6.30 a.m. and in the evening till 6.30 p.m. with adequate breaks in between with emphasis on practicals. They will have to select two sports from, cricket, hockey, badminton and tennis, while two combative sports will also have to be chosen from Judo, Taekwondo and boxing. Football, volleyball, basketball, handball, khabbaddi, kho kho and athletics are compulsory subjects. 

There are fifty places available with twenty five reserved for Goans. Those who have a Bachelors degree in any stream with a score of 45% can apply, but preferences will be given to sports people who have represented their school at state and national level.

With Goa adopting the sports policy, there will be need for more PE teachers in schools in the future. Besides, with the national games and new infrastructure being planned on a massive scale, there will be plenty of scope for qualified persons, stated Fr Wilfred Fernandes, manager of the college, who appealed to graduate persons to avail of the opportunity in the college in Goa offering the one year’s degree course.

First published in Herald on June 22^nd 2011.